The Regular Meeting of the Hartwick Town Board called to order at 6:30 p.m. The Pledge to the Flag was led by Supervisor, David Butler.
Present: Supervisor David Butler, Councilwoman Anita Briggs Jones, Councilman Delos Field, Councilman Kenneth Hotaling, and Councilwoman Julianne Sharratt
Absent:
Also present: Highway Superintendent, Rusty Striesse; Town Attorney, Lynn Green; Administrative Assistant, Tavis Austin; Hartwick Conservation Advisory Committee Chair, Martha Clarvoe; Hartwick Historical Association Representative, Gloria Waro; Otsego County Representative, Pauline Koren; Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Anderson; and others from the community.
MOTION: Councilwoman Sharratt moved to approve Abstract 8 and prepaid bills for the month ending July 31, 2012 in the amount of $89,912.16 from the following funds:
General $ 24,144.55
Highway $ 59,593.53
Library $ 530.41
Lighting $ 452.73
Water $ 1,318.41
Fire $ 3,872.53
Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to approve Town Clerk's Report for July 2012 showing income of $1,321.00, with Town's portion being $1,239.60. Councilwoman Briggs Jones seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to approve Town Justice Report for July 2012 with reported income totaling $2,330.00. Councilwoman Sharratt seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
MOTION: Councilman Field moved to accept the Town Board Meeting Minutes of July 9, 2012. Councilwoman Briggs Jones seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
MOTION: Councilwoman Briggs Jones moved to approve Special Meeting Minutes of July 12, 2012. Councilwoman Sharratt seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
Bid Opening - 1997 Ford Bronco
Supervisor Butler read aloud the Daily Star's Proof of Publication for Request for Bids.
Donna Anderson - $25 more than the highest bid, not to exceed $3,025.00
Tim West - $1,700.00
George Darling, Jr. - $1,500.00
Glen Anderson - $2,259.00
MOTION: Councilman Hotaling moved to award the Bronco Bid to Glen Anderson with a price of $2,259.00. Councilwoman Sharratt seconded, the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
Bid Opening - 1967 Ford Pumper
Supervisor Butler read aloud the Daily Star's Proof of Publication for Request for Bids.
Tim West - $300.00
John Shaul - $1,267.00
MOTION: Councilman Field moved to award the Pumper Bid to John Shaul with a price of $1,267.00. Councilwoman Sharratt seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
Otsego County Representative, Pauline Koren:
Ms. Koren updated those present on the following topics:
- Emergency Services Issues Report - contact Kevin Ritton
- Public Hearing to be held on September 5, 2012 for the purpose of hearing comment on the proposed change in term for County Representatives from a 2 year term to a 4 hear term.
- Meeting to be held on the distribution of Bed Tax funds. Ms. Koren asked for historical data from Hartwick with relation to EMS activity, etc...
- Carolyn Lewis would like to meet with the Town to discuss grant opportunity. A good tentative date would be the September Town Board Work Session.
- MOSA exit date is April 30, 2013.
- Councilman Field asked Ms. Koren to relay a message to the County in relation to the County Highway crew. He asked Mr. Koren to remind the crew they need to pick up their trash after working along the roadside.
Highway Superintendent, Rusty Striesse, Report:
- Cleaning ditches, shoulders, and brush
- Preparing for paving projects at Toddsville, Scotch Hill, Piermott, Petkewec
Administrative Assistant, Tavis Austin's Report
- July 17, 2012 - Hazard Mitigation Plan Meeting. FEMA mandates participation in order to receive disaster relief funding. First round paperwork is due at no cost to the Town.
- Mr. Austin requested further recommendations on the lettering to be installed on Maintenance truck.
- July 23, 2012 - Zoning Commission meeting should produce a tentative conceptual map.
- Mr. Austin reported weed removal at the water tank is complete. The Highway Department assisted in the clean-up. The screening has also been repaired at tank.
- Nine lot subdivisions at Bice/Bissell Road have been approved. Attorney Green will research the "type" of road necessary.
- Carolyn Lewis has agreed to meet in October with staff from the state to discuss granting opportunities.
- The Board authorized Mr. Austin to procure a thermostat based heating system to be used at the water tank with a maximum cost of $3,000.00.
Conservation Committee, Martha Clarvoe, Chair:
- Ms. Clarvoe delivered to the Board, Oil or Gas Lease Packet - Information Concerning Release or Renewal.
- The Board and Attorney Green discussed the importance of making the necessity to always seek legal advice clear.
- Mr. Clarvoe was asked by the Board to research the possibility of installation of solar panels at Town buildings, particularly Town Hall.
- Ms. Clarvoe reminded all present of MOSA for free electronic collection site.
Supervisor, David Butler, Report:
- Supervisor Butler reported the Freight House was hit by a freight truck delivering to the Bat Co. An accident report has been filed.
- Supervisor Butler, Attorney Green, and the Board discussed the Assessment/Equalization figures and Budgeting process for 2013. It was agreed the September Work Session will be used for Budget Organization.
- Cooperstown Youth Baseball Ground Breaking - August 15, 2012 at Wells Ave./Hatchery. Ice cream has been donated by Stewart's Shops and will be free of charge.
- Letter and petition regarding Jill & Matt Craig - Route 28 speed limit reduction - has been sent to the State of New York Department of Transportation.
- Necessity to re-advertise for letters of interest for the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee was discussed. It was agreed the Committee should have 5-7 seats available.
MOTION: Councilman Field moved to have the Town Clerk re-advertise for Letters of Interest for participation it the Town of Hartwick's Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
- Supervisor Butler and the Board discussed the possibility of organizing a Fall Clean Sweep. The Board agreed, Clean Sweep will be held in the Spring.
- Supervisor Butler and the Board discussed a bill received from Bruce Hall for the work performed at Countryside Mobile Home Park. Attorney Green has written a letter to Tom Dietz, owner of the mobile home park. Attorney Green will contact the NYS Department of Health and follow up with Mr. Dietz.
- Supervisor Butler and the Board discussed changing the Fire Commissioner's Meeting from October to September - cancelling the September Water Commissioner's Meeting.
MOTION: Councilwoman Briggs Jones moved to cancel September Water Commissioner's Meeting and reschedule October Fire Commissioner's Meeting to September. Supervisor Butler seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
Floor opened for Public Comment
- Mr. and Mrs. Gage reported the Cemetery Association would like to be included in the planning of Kallan Field area.
- Ms. Waro reported the Hatchery Building has been successfully stained. It was completed by volunteers on August 5 and 6. It took approximately 67.5 combined hours. The Hartwick Historical Association donated the stain and Bruce Hall Corp. donated the brushes.
- Ms. Clarvoe asked Attorney Green if he is comfortable with reports on the State's intent with gas drilling. Attorney Green replied "yes".
- The use of speed bumps in the Hartwick Cemetery was discussed.
- Councilwoman Briggs Jones suggested a contest for the successful naming of Wells Ave./School Street - Northern End County Highway 11 roadway.
- Ms. Waro reported the Historic District Grant is in the last round. She requested the Town Board write a simple statement pledging support in the 2013 Budget for a sum between $100.00 and $200.00.
MOTION: Councilman Field moved to direct Tavis Austin to write a simple statement pledging $200.00 (two-hundred dollars) supporting Town of Hartwick Historic District process in the Town's 2013 Annual Operating Budget. Councilman Hotaling seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
MOTION: Supervisor Butler moved to close the Regular Town Board meeting at 8:30 p.m. and Enter Executive Session to discuss a Personnel related issue/disciplinary procedures. Councilwoman Briggs Jones seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
MOTION: Supervisor Butler moved to close Executive Session and adjourn the Regular Town Board meeting at 9:00 p.m. Councilwoman Briggs Jones seconded, and the motion passed with the following votes: Supervisor Butler "aye", Councilwoman Briggs Jones "aye", Councilman Field "aye", Councilman Hotaling "aye", and Councilwoman Sharratt "aye".
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah McGuire, Town Clerk
